Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

australia have to be the team to beat imo

a batting lineup capable of 350 scores and a bowling lineup with starc. hazlewood and cummins that should be effective in english conditions

england and india may have better batting depth but not the same strength in their bowling

We could pick the bowlers that do well at the Edgbaston, the Oval, Sophia Gardens ...

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

Voted for Australia.

Slipstream wrote:We could pick the bowlers that do well at the Edgbaston, the Oval, Sophia Gardens ... :)

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

Boyd Rankin and James Tredwell?

You could argue that those figures are mostly outdated, and you just won't get those rpos anymore. In 2014 on those grounds, Anderson was going at six an over. Broad's record over his last few years justifiably got him dropped and there's no good reason to go back to him. Maybe Anderson could have been retained, but cutting down his cricket seemed a good idea, and a fresh start felt welcome.

I predict an England v South Africa final, purely because both sides will have ODIs under their belt before going into the competition. Massive advantage over the other teams whose players will be playing IPL in completely different conditions.

Nehra might be going to the champions trophy with india, crazy to think he played cricket in the late 90s, must be the only one in the international game to still play cricket in the 90s.

Younis Khan probably isn't that much off having played in the 90s.

Chris Gayle debuted in 1999.

So did Shoaib Malik, I was thinking more about Test players.

Late to the party I know, but here are my predictions:

Australia - have to be the team to beat. But for a blip in South Africa where they deliberately sent a weakened team due to scheduling requirements, they would be comfortably on top of the rankings. Have two of the best ODI batsmen in the world in Warner and Smith, solid hitting power all the way down the order, good all-rounders, fearsome quicks who should thrive in English conditions, and solid strength in depth. Prediction - winner.

Bangladesh - have made some strides in recent years, and can point to their progress in the World Cup at England's expense to those who might write them off. But that was a very different England team. Bangla can be tough to beat in the subcontinent, but in English conditions and the tougher of the two groups, it's hard to see them progressing. Prediction - a spirited performance, but bottom of the group.

England - for all the great strides made by England of late, I was surprised to see that they are still only no. 5 in the rankings (although the gap between them and no. 3 is pretty small). On their day the batting line-up is the best in the world, they have plenty of all-rounders and depth, but concern remains about the death bowling and lack of a spinner. Plus they have a tough group. Still, they will be at home, and if they get on a roll, they have the talent to do well. Prediction: Always the bridesmaid...

India - while their test side gets better and better, their ODI progress has stalled slightly, and being outside the subcontinent is unlikely to do them any favours. Still, their top order batting is the equal of anyone's, they have the experience of doing well in big tournaments, and with the slightly weaker group, I expect a creditable performance. Prediction: Out in the semis (probably to Australia).

New Zealand - always under-rated in big tournaments, their presence makes group one the 'group of death'. They should adapt well to English conditions, but there is a slight lack of depth to the squad - they are very reliant on a few players (Williamson, Guptill, Boult) to fire, and in a tournament this short, one off day means that you're out. Prediction - just fail to qualify for the semis, but it will be close.

Pakistan - the ever-mercurial Pakistan always have the potential to surprise, but their ODI form has been so dire of late it's hard to see a surprise coming in this tournament, in conditions where they have struggled recently. The leadership has been insecure, and the batting hasn't adapted to the modern game. Prediction - wooden spoon

South Africa - while New Zealand always go into big tournaments slightly unfavoured and punch above their weight, South Africa are invariably fancied by don't quite meet up to their potential. Strong batting including the best in the world AbdV, a variety and penetration in bowling, and they usually adapt well to English conditions. Lack of a world-class allrounder does dent the case a little. The number 1 side in the world should comfortably qualify from what looks to be the slightly weaker of the two groups, but will the dreaded 'c' word appear again? Prediction - out in the knockouts.

Sri Lanka - not been able to make up for the retirement of their big guns, and are in a rebuilding phase. Have struggled against practically everyone in recent times apart from the West Indies and Zimbabwe. With the exception of the redoubtable Angelo Matthews, their squad lacks the depth and experience to do well in unfamiliar conditions. I like them, but it's hard to see them doing well. Prediction - out in the group stage.

Good stuff. After the last WC when they didn't even make it to the wedding, England dream of being the bridesmaids.

Agree with the predictions. Of course, something different will happen, but these seem right as things stand going into the competition.

Fielding is so important and hard to factor in. It feels automatic to say that fielding always improves, and ground fielding may well have done (though are the fielders now better than 10-15 years ago when Jonty and Colly roamed the covers?). But the effectiveness of catching? This seems to be going backwards. The winter season catching has been horrific. I don't really follow the IPL, but my impression is from glancing at Cricinfo, that the fielding generally, and catching in particular appears not to have been commensurate with a flagship competition. Slip catching generally is now at my lifetime low. This factor decides matches.

And catching behind the wicket in England is different from other countries. Each location has its own variations in bounce, but there is the difference in swing after going past the bat. A good keeper might make the difference. This should be be an advantage for England as this is at least familiar.

Catching is at a low time low but ground fielding been very good lately.

Pace bowlers are far better fielders now than even ten years ago.

Australia, South Africa and England look to be the strongest teams especially in English conditions. I would choose England but I fear the pressure of being at home and the desire to win an International ODI comp might be a burden. I agree with rich that out bowling is not as strong as the other main challengers.